Oscillating gas engine



April 28, 1931- R. HELMLINGER I 1,802,650

OSGILLATING GAS ENGINE Filed Aug. 51, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Wmzss X I xfflmi M 7M ATTORNEYS.

April 28, 1931. HELMUNGER 1,802,650

OSCILLATING GAS ENGINE Filed Aug. 31, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 'IHIIIIIIHIII a N am =I ITTOEAEYJ.

April 28, 1931. R. HELMLINGER OSCILLATING GAS ENGINE Filed Aug. 31, 19295 Sheets-Sheet 3 14 TI'ORNE Y Way \I... l

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April 28, 1931- R. HELMLINGER 1,802,650

OSCILLATING GAS ENGINE Filed Aug. 31. 1929 5 Sheets-Shet 4 HTTORNEYJ.

5 Sheets-Sheet 5 RHELMLINGER OSCILLATING GAS ENGINE Filed Aug.

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. INVE ran 8r MVW firm/vim Patented Apr. 28, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE BEHI BIELHLINGEB, OI TUTTLINGEN, GEB IANY, ASSIGNOB TO, Ali-FORGEMOOS- BRUGGEB, OF SYRACUSE, NEW YORK OSCILLATING GAS ENGINE Applicationfiled August 31, 1888. Serial 1T0. 889,817.

This invention relates to an internal combustion engine involving theuse of a single stationary cylinder having its interior d1- vided bintersecting partitions into a plu- 5 rality o in this instance four,compartments to take the place of the usual four cylinder four cycleengine, one of the partitions be-,

cost of materials entering into the construcg1 tion of the engine and atthe same time to reduce the inertia incidental to the reciprocal actionof the oscillating partition.

. Another object is to divide the fixed parti- 2 tion into symmetricalradial sections projectin inwardly from the inner walls of the cy inderbore equal distances therefrom with their inner ends in suflicientlyspaced relation to receive the central portion of the oscilatingpartition to enable the latter to oscillate about the axis of thecylinder.

Another object is to make both ends of the oscillating partitionssymmetrical and in balance relatively to its axis of oscillation so thatthey may serve as pistons to co-operate with the opposite sides of thefixed radial partition sections and that they may be responsive to theexplosition in the several compartments and at the same time be utilizedfor affecting the desired exhaust, intake and compression of the gases.

A further object is to provide each compartment with an intake port andan exhaust port and to automatically control said ports by suitablevalves.

Another object is to provide each compartment with an electric'ignitionplug and suitable means for intermittingly energizing the electrodes ofsaid plug as the live gases are compressed in the correspondingcompartment for power purposes.

A further ob ect is to provide means for transmitting motion from theoscillatin partition to an external driven shaft and a so to provideadditional means actuated by the driven shaft for controlling the oeration of the valves and energizing of the spark-plugs.

Other objects and uses relating to specific parts of the engine will bebrought out in the following description:

In the drawings Fig. l is a top plan of an internal'combustion engineembodying the various features of my invention.

Fig. 2 is an end view of the same mechanism except that one of the uppergears is broken away.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the same en- Fig. 4 is a detailedsectional view taken on line 4-4, Fig. 5, showing the intake valve andexhaust valve for one of the compartments.

Figs. 5 and 6 are transverse vertical sectional views taken respectivelyin the planes of line 5-5 and 6-6, Fig. 1.

Figs. 7 and 8 are sectional views taken reipectively in planes of line7-7 and 8-8,

As illustrated this engine com rises a hollow, circular shell or housinghaving its interior divided into a plurality of, in this instance four,compartments or chambers 1, 2, 3 and 4, through the medium of rela-.tively fixed radial partition sections --a and a and a movablepartition B whichis mounted upon a central shaft 5 to extend radially inopposite directions therefrom as shown more clearly in Figs. 5 and 6.

The partitions a and -a' are arranged in diametricalopposed s acedrelation to receive the central portion of the partition-B between themand are preferably integrally united at their outer ends to the innerwalls of the shell or cylinder A, the inner ends of the fixed partitionsbeing provided with outwardly divergent faces 6 at equal angles to theirlongitudinal centers corresponding approximately to the angle ofoscillation of the partition B from one extreme position to the otherand vice versa.

The inner peripheral walls of the cylinder A- between the partitionsaand a'- are concentric with the axis of the cylinder and shaft 5 toform a close fitting running joint with the opposite ends of the movablepartition B.

The shaft 5 is journaled in suitable bearings in the opposite end wallsof the cylinder A- coaxial therewith for receiving and supporting themovable partition B- to oscillate therewith.

The partition B- is provided with a central substantially circular hub-8 and opposite radially projecting pistons 9 and 9'- having theiropposite end edges and peripheries closely fitting against the end wallsand inner peripheral walls of the cylinder -A to form substantiallygas-tight joints therewith and for this latter purpose, the outer edgesof the pistons 9- and 9 are provided with packing members 10 as shownmore clearly in Fig. 6.

The opposite faces of the pistons 9+ and 9 are disposed in outwardlydiverging planes so that their outer edges are somewhat widercircumferentially than their 1nner ends adjacent the hub 8- to affordcorrespondingly broad contact areas with the inner walls of thecylinder.

The inner ends of the fixed partitions a and aare also provided withpacking members 11 engaging the periphery of the hub 8 of the partitions9 and 9- to form substantially gas-tight joints therewith.

The fixed partitions --a and a' extend from end to end of the cylinderA- and are preferably integrally united to the end walls thereof, themajor portions of the partitions between the inner beveled heads andinner peripheral walls of the cylinder being relatively narrowcircumferentially and disposed in planes parallel with a plane extendingdiametrically through the centers thereof to afford ample space for theintroduction, compression and explosion of the fuel charges and theexhaust of the spent gases as the pistons 9 and 9- are moved in reverseddirections.

The peripheral wall of the cylinder A is provided with a fuel intakemanifold or chamber 12, an exhaust manifold 13- and a cooling chamber 14all of which extend circumferentially around the axis of the cylinder asshown more clearly in Figs. 5, 6, 7, and 8, the fuel intake chamber 12and exhaust chamber 13- being separated by a circumferentially extendingpartition -l5 midway between the opposite end walls of the cylinder asshown more clearly in Fi s. 7 and 8.

he fuel intake manifold or distributing chamber 12- is connected by aconduit 16- to a suitable carbureter 17- which in turn, may be connectedto any available source of fuel supply such as a gasoline tank notshown, said fuel distributing chamber being also provided with aplurality of, in this instance 4, inlet orts 1, 2', 3' and 4' which arecontrolled by suitable valves 18, 19, 20 and 21 adapted to be operatedin the manner hereinafter described.

The exhaust chamber 13 is connected to a suitable delivery conduit 22-adapted to discharge to the atmosphere or any suitable mufiiing mediumnot shown, said exhaust chamber being also provided with a plurality of,in this instance four, exhaust ports 1", 2", 3 and 4" leading theretofrom the corresponding compartments or chambers 1, 2, 3 and 4, as shownin Fig. 6.

These exhaust ports 1", 2", 3 and 4 are respectively controlled byseparate valves 23, 2 25- and 26 adapted to be operated in the mannerhereinafter described.

The fuel intake ports and exhaust ports are formed in solid ortions ofthe cylinder --A- extending t rough the coolin chamber 14- to cut offcommunication etween said ports and cooling chamber as shown in Figs. 5and 6.

The peripheral walls of the chambers or compartments 1, 2, 3 and 4 areprovided respectively with spark-plug openings for receiving acorresponding number of spark plugs, 27, 28, 29 and 30 located betweenthe positions of maximum movement of the pistons 9 and 9'-- andpartitions -a and a, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, and having theirterminals pro]ecting into said chambers for igniting the fuel admittedthereto, said spark plu being electrically connected in any well ownmanner to a source or sources of current supply not shown.

The diametrically opposite lower and upper portions of the coolingchamber 14- are provided respectively with an inlet conduit 3l and anoutlet conduit 32- for receiving and delivering water or other coolingagent and causing the same to circulate through the chamber -14-, saidconduits being preferably connected in any suitable manner to the lowerand upper portions of a radiator not shown but commonly used inconnection with internal combustion engines.

The pistons 9 and 9' and the intake and exhaust valves are adapted tooperate on the principle of what is commonly known as a four-cycleengine for producing regular oscillatory motions of the pistons and acorresponding reverse rocking movement of the shaft -5 and suitablemeans is provided for converting this oscillating or rocking movement ofthe pistons and shaft Into a continuous rotary motion.

As illustrated more clearly in Figs. 1, 2 and 7, the outer end of therock shaft 5 1s providedwith a pair of similar diametrica y oppositecrank arms 41 keyed or otherwise secured thereto to oscillate therewithat the outside of the cylinder A.

A separate shaft 42- is journaled on the main supporting frame A'-- ofthe cylinder A coaxial with the rock shaft -5 for continuous rotationrelatively thereto.

A relatively large gear 43- is keyed or otherwise secured to the innerend of the shaft 42 adjacent the outer end of the shaft 5, as shown inFig. 7, and is adapted to mesh with a pair of diametrically oppositegears or pinions 44- which are journaled upon suitable brackets 45- onthe supporting frame A- (see Fig. 2).

.The cylinder A is preferably made in half sections meeting in a planepassing through the axisof the shaft -5 substantlally midway between theouter ends of the partitions aand a' as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, themeeting faces of said sections being secured together by bolts 33- orequivalent fastening means.

The artitions a and a' are preferably ollow and closed at their innerends but are open at their outer ends for communication with the coolingchamber to permit the circulation of the water or other cooling agentthereinto.

The pistons 9- and 9 of the oscillating partition B- are also hollow forcooling purposes and, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, are constructed so asto permit the circulation of water or other cooling agent into theinterior thereof.

For this latter purpose, the hub of the pistons is provided withradially projecting partitions 34 dividing the interior of the pistonsinto similar compartments 35, those at each side of the hub beingaconnected by passages 35 as shown in ig. 9;

In this latter construction one end of the shaft 5 is tubular and isprovided with separate diametrical openings 36- and 36'-, one of which36 communicates with chamber 35- at one side'of the partitions 34-through radial openings 37- in the hub of the pistons, while the opening36- communicates with the other compartment -35 through radial openings37- in the hub 8 as shown more clearly in Figs. 9 and 10.

The shaft 5- is provided with an internal chamber 38- having its innerend communicating with the passages 36 and 37 and its outer endconnected by ports 38 to a supply pipe 39-- for the water or othercooling agent, the periphery of the shaft adjacent the inner end of thepipe '39 belng provided with an annular groove 39'- to permit freepassage of the cooling agent from the pipe 39- into the chamber 38-while the shaft is being oscillated by the action of the pistons 9 and9'- in the manner hereinafter described.

A return pipe 40 for the cooling agent is passed centrally through theouter end of are pivotally connected at one end at 47' to the outer endsof the crank arms 41- and have their opposite ends pivotally connectedat 48- to the gears or pinions 44- eccentric to the axes of theirrespective journal bearings 44, as shown in Fig.

2, for transmitting rotary motion from the oscillating crank arms 41- tosaid gears or pinions 44 and thence to the gear 43- and driven shaft 42-it being un-' derstood that the momentum of rotation of the gears 44'and 43 will carry the pitpr ien 46- beyond the dead center shown in i 2.

In other words, the oscillatory motion of the pistons 9- and 9' by thesuccessive explosions in the chambers 1, 3, 4 and 2 causes the rotationof the driven shaft 42+- through the medium of the crank arms 41,pitment 46, pinions 44- and gear 43- for efiecting a continuous rotationof the shaft 42 in one and the same direction.

Valveopemtion The stems of the several intake and exhaust controllingvalves are extended outwardly through suitable guide openings in theperipherial walls of the cylinder A and are provided at their outer endswith spring seats 49- for receiving the outer ends of coil springs 50-having their inner ends bearing against the periphery of the cylinder Ato. normally and yieldingly hold. the corresponding valves in theirclosed positions and permit them to be opened at the proper time in amanner presently described.

Suitable cam shafts --5l and 51' age journaled in brackets 52- on themain supporting frame at diametrical sides of the cylinder ,A-, eachshaft being provided with a pair of cams 53-- for engaging and operatinga corresponding number of levers 54 which are also journaled upon thebrackets 52- and are adapted to engage the outer ends of the valve stemsfor opening the corresponding valves against the action of their springs50- The means for transmitting motion from the driven shaft 42- of theengine to the cam shafts -51 and 51'- comprises coaxial jack-shaftsections 55- and -55- and beveled gears 56- for transmitting motion tothe shaft -55- and 55'- which in turn are connected by gears -57-'- and57- to the cam shafts -5l and 51' as shown more clearly in Figs. 1 and2.

The valve operating levers 54 are arranged in pairs and those of eachpair are loosely mounted upon a supporting shaft or spindle 58, thelevers of each pair being held in spaced relation by compression springs-59 as shown more clearly in Figs. 1 and 3.

The driving connections between the shaft 42- and valve operating levers-54 are arranged and timed to open the valves and to allow them to closeat proper intervals according to the firing, fuel intake, exhaust andcompression within the chambers 1, 2, 3 and 4.

As illustrated, the ignition and operation of the valves are timed tocause the explosion of the fuel mixture in the chambers 1, 3, 4 and 2successively with a corresponding sequence of operation of severalintake valves and exhaust valves.

Operation Assuming that the pistons 9- and 9 are in the position shownin Figs. 5 and 6, and that a charge of explosive mixture-has beenpreviously induced and compressed within the chamber -1 and that anexplosion has previously occurred in chamber 2 to drive the piston tothe position shown in Figs. 5 and 6 under which conditions a charge ofthe explosive mixture will be pres ent in the chamber 3- ready to becompressed while the exhaust gases have just been expelled from thechamber 4 ready for the induction of a fresh charge of fuel into saidchamber.

Then upon the energizing of the spark plug 27- the resultant explosionof the fuel in the chamber 1- will drive the pistons 9 and 9-. in aclockwise direction, thereby causing the piston 9 to expel the spentgases from the chamber 2 while the piston 9 will serve to induce a freshcharge of the explosive mixture into the chamber -4- and to compress thecharge in the chamber -3 as the pistons assume a position indicated indotted line in Fig. 5.

During this firing stroke of the piston 9, the intake and exhaust valvesof the chamber -1- will be closed, while the exhaust valves of thechamber -2 will be opened to permit the exit of the spent gases, theintake valve of that chamber being closed.

During the movement of the piston 9 from the position shown by fulllines to the position shown by dotted lines in Fig. 5, the intake alvesof the chamber 4 will be opened to permit the induction of a freshcharge of the explosive mixture into vthat chamber, the exhaust valve ofsaid chamber being closed.

This same movement of the piston 9' will cause the charge of explosivemixture in the chamber -3 to be compressed during which operation theintake valve and exhaust valve of that chamber will be closed.

At the end of the first movement of the pistons 9 and -9, the compressedcharge of the explosive mixture will be ignited and exploded in thechamber 3- to drive the pistons in a counterclockwise direction, therebyreturning the istons' to their starting positions, during wh1ch return,the intake valve of the chamber -1- will be closed and the exhaust valveof the same chamber opened to permit the expulsion of the spent gasesfrom that chamber and during the same time the explosive charge in thechamber -4 will be compressed and the intake valve and exhaust valve ofthat chamber will be closed.

During the same period the exhaust valve of the chamber 2- will beclosed and the corresponding intake valve opened to allow the inductionof a fresh charge of explosive mixture into said chamber.

The compressed charge within the chamber 4 is then ignited to move thepistons a second time to a position shown by dotted lines, the intakevalve and exhaust valve of the chamber -4- being then closed and at thesame time, the charge in the chamber 2 will be compressed by the piston9, while the spent gases in the chamber 3 will be expelled through thethen opened exhaust valve of that chamber.

The explosive mixture in the chamber 2 is then ignited for returning thepistons to their starting positions thus completing the cycle ofsuccessive explosions in the chamber 1-, 3, 4- and -2 and resultantmovements of the pistons.

On the other hand, the intake valve of each chamber will be openedduring one of the receding movements of the corresponding piston fromthat chamber to cause the induction of a fresh charge of explosivemixture thereinto while the exhaust valve of the same chamber willremain closed.

The mechanism shown and described is particularly efiicient in operationbut obviabout the axis of the cylinder and co-operating' with thefirst-named partitions to divide the interior of the cylinder into fourchambers, each chamber having a fuel-intake port, and an exhaust port,and valves controlling said ports, said cylinder having an annularchamber connecting the intake ports, and a separate annular chamberconnecting the exhaust ports.

2. In an internal combustion engine of the character described, acylinder having internal diametrically opposed partitions, anoscillatory piston movable about the axis of the cylinder andco-operating with said partitions to divide the interior of the cylinderinto four chambers, each chamber having a fuel intake port and anexhaust port both adjacent one side ofthe corresponding partition,self-closing valves controlling said ports, engine driven cam-shafts atdiametri cally opposite sides of the cylinder in the horizontal plane ofsaid partitions, and devices actuated by the cam-shafts for opening theadjacent valves in proper sequence.

3. In an internal combustion engine of the character described, acylinder having radial partitions projecting inwardly from diametricallyopposite sides of its inner wall, a fuel intake manifold extendingentirely around the outside of said inner wall and provided withfuel-intake ports leading to the interior of the shell at opposite sidesof and adjacent said partitions, an exhaust manifold extending entirelyaround said inner 5 wall and provided with exhaust ports leading fromthe interior of the shell adjacent opposite sides of the artitions,separate self-closing valves contro ling said ports, engine-driven meansfor opening said valves in proper sequence, an oscillating partitionmovable about the axis of the shell and cooperating with the first-namedpartitions to divide the interior of the shell into four chambers eachcommunicating with one of the intake ports and one of the exhaust ports,

and separate devices for sequentially igniting the explosive mixture inthe several chambers.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 5th day of August,1929.

REMI HELMLINGER.

